Määrä

Määrä Knit Shawl by Tante Ehm

What Is Being Made

Määrä is a wide, shallow triangular shawl designed by independent designer Tante Ehm. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a finished shawl measuring 56 inches (142 cm) wide and 19 inches (48 cm) deep after light blocking. The design is suitable for knitters with intermediate-level experience and uses a straightforward construction method that begins from a single stitch.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Määrä shawl employs several fundamental knitting techniques that build upon each other to create its distinctive shape and structure. The pattern begins with a cast-on of just one stitch, which is then increased systematically throughout the project. A signature technique used in this design is the double increase, which appears at the beginning of each row and creates a decorative loop. This loop serves a functional purpose, as it becomes the pickup point for the border that will be knit later in the project. The shawl is finished with a Picot bind off, which creates a delicate, decorative edge around all sides of the completed shawl. Light blocking is recommended after knitting to achieve the final measurements and to even out the fabric.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch pattern, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, forming the smooth, classic fabric base
• Knit (k) – Basic knit stitch used throughout the pattern
• Purl (p) – Basic purl stitch used in alternating rows
• Kpk (knit-purl-knit) – A double increase stitch where you knit into a stitch without slipping it from the left-hand needle, then purl into the same stitch, then knit into it again, resulting in two stitches increased from one
• Picot Bind Off – A decorative bind-off technique applied to all edges for a finished, ornamental appearance

Materials Required

The Määrä shawl requires 380 yards (347 meters) of worsted weight yarn. Two circular needles are needed: a US 8 (5 mm) needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) for the main knitting, and a US 9 (5.5 mm) needle or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. A tapestry needle is also required for finishing. The recommended gauge is 14 stitches and 18 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch using the smaller needles, which helps ensure the shawl reaches its intended finished dimensions.

Pattern Notes

This shawl design is notable for its elegant simplicity and clever construction. Starting from a single stitch and building outward through systematic increases creates an efficient use of yarn while producing a substantial finished piece. The double increase technique that creates the decorative loops is worked at the beginning of each row, establishing a structural element that later becomes the anchor point for picking up stitches to knit the border. This two-part construction method—first the main body, then the picked-up border—adds visual interest and dimension to the finished shawl. The Picot bind off applied to all edges provides a polished, professional finish that complements the shawl's simple construction method.